Will AI be a bane or boon for global development?

By Tatsiana Hulko

Anyone following tech news these days understands that the coexistence of artificial intelligence (AI) and mankind – and the ethical conflicts that may arise from it – is no longer science fiction. There is unease about AI influencing our online shopping and social media habits; about it replacing both menial and high-skilled jobs; enhancing surveillance and policing, and contributing to the development of more sophisticated weapons.

The primary concern for businesses and governments today is how to better understand and harness big data, the internet of things, exponentially rising computing power and speed, memory capacity and intelligent algorithms. For those working in international development, the motivation is to apply the promise and potential of AI towards solving some of the world’s most challenging economic, social and environmental issues.